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For 18 years, Goodwill Industries of Northeast Pennsylvania has attempted to revitalize a shuttered school building in North Scranton.

Beset by delays, changing plans and criticism, it seemed to some that plans to redevelop the North Scranton Junior High School might never come to fruition. But a windfall from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency will move plans forward.

On Thursday, PHFA announced it will award $1.49 million in tax credits to Goodwill, money that the organization's president, Gerald Langan, said will finally fund plans to redevelop the former school into senior housing.

"I'm as excited as can be," Mr. Langan said, adding that the work will take about a year to complete. "Work will begin as soon as possible."

The school's history and architecture, including soaring pillars, a large clock face and carved stone details, led Goodwill to purchase the building.

Goodwill is using the tax credits and other funding, including $4 million in state Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program money, to turn the former school into 58 apartments and a redone auditorium that could host community events as part of the $22.6 million project, according to the agency's application to the state.

Weston Field/Bulls Head Residents Group President Barbara Marinucci said she is happy about the award because she does not want the building destroyed.

"The most impressive part of the North Scranton Junior High School is the appearance of the building on top of the hill as you drive up Green Ridge Street," she said.

Ms. Marinucci said there are local residents who would move into one of Goodwill's apartments.

Built in 1924, the school closed in 1988 because of a potential mine subsidence. The district permanently closed it in 1991. Despite the closure, Mr. Langan said the building is sound and "is not going to come down."

With the school closed, Goodwill received $2.5 million in federal funds through former U.S. Rep. Joseph McDade, Mr. Langan said.

He said Goodwill used $216,000 of the funds to buy the school two weeks before it was to be torn down. The rest of the funds, he said, added a roof and made other improvements to the shuttered school building.

"We sealed it up so there wouldn't be any more deterioration," Mr. Langan said. "It (the project) has been a good 18 years for me and Goodwill."

The award to Goodwill was one of three tax credit awards given to organizations in Lackawanna County. The PHFA awarded more than $1 million to Jessup Family Housing Partnership LP to build 76 affordable housing units in Jessup Borough for low and very-low income families.

It also awarded $559,606 in tax credits to Catholic Social Services to build a three-story building with 30 apartments for homeless veterans at 504 Penn Ave., next to St. Francis of Assisi Kitchen. Known as St. Francis of Assisi Commons, the building will contain apartments and space for a food pantry and clothing drive.

"I'm absolutely thrilled three projects have been funded for Lackawanna County," said Catholic Social Services Executive Director Monsignor Joseph Kelly.

Tax credits can be sold by developers to raise money for a project. Catholic Social Services is using the tax credits to raise about $4.7 million as part of the $6.4 million project, according to the agency's application provided to the state.

Monsignor Kelly said the revenue gained through the sale of the tax credits will be enough to pay for the installation of the apartments. He said Catholic Social Services is seeking donations to help pay for the installation of the food pantry and clothing distribution space.

Contact the writer: jmrozinski@timesshamrock.com

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